In January 2015 Lift up Their Hearts opened a Catholic High School in Rwanda, East Africa. Why Rwanda? Rwanda is a very poor country with a large population of 10 million Christians. In fact 99% of Rwanda’s population is Christian. In Rwanda most people survive by growing their own food leaving them with no real income and dependent on foreign aid. This small country has no natural resources and most of the population lives on less than $2.00 a day.
But there is some good news. Rwanda has a stable government with a reputation for being incorruptible.Their borders are secure and they remain free of the terrorism which plagues many of their neighboring countries. Rwanda is struggling to ease it’s poverty by using the computer industry to bring them business and through hard work they are succeeding. It’s citizens and leaders are engaged in a campaign to make Rwanda a leading provider of Intelligent Communications Technology in Africa. This would provide much needed income to Rwanda’s citizens and its border countries. Right now while Rwanda’s borders are secure world leaders see a window of opportunity to end the poverty in this region.
That is why we built a high school dedicated to teaching Christianity and computer skills in Rwanda. If Rwanda does not have young workers to participate in its computer industry it will be forced to hire workers from outside the country to fill those jobs. This weakens Rwanda’s economy and threatens its political stability.
Our school opened in February 2015 with a class of 12 students. The school enrollment has grown significantly in the last few years with the current year enrollment of close to 500 students. While the Catholic Church runs the school children of all faiths are welcome. The government of Rwanda has been the catalyst in sending more students each year to the school.
The constant influx of more students has stretched the budget each year to provide more classrooms, restrooms and dormitories for student housing.
Rwanda’s ICT industry
Rwanda’s President Kagame recently announced that much of the country now has fiber-optic cable in keeping with its goals to become the leading provider of intelligence and communications technology in East Africa. He stated “Rwanda’s people and it’s economy are in a much better situation today than 10 years ago. We are working to reduce the poverty which forces us to rely on foreign aid.”
Quotes for today.
“We should seek for others the same opportunities we seek for ourselves.” Pope Francis in his address to U.S. Congress 2015 “We will build a Chain of Love across Rwanda so everyone feels protected, loved and at peace.” Rest in Peace Father Pascal Bigirimana 11-19-2012 God has a purpose for you that is held in His heart. God has a plan for you that is paved with his grace.
Contact us at 612-772-5692 or email kristinaworm@yahoo.com
Monsignor Felicien
Mubiligi Catholic High School
Lift up Their Hearts has built a Catholic High School dedicated to teaching computer and English language skills to Rwanda’s High School students. Rwanda is hoping to become a center for Information and Communications Technology in Africa. For this industry to succeed they must have young adults who are computer savvy and skilled in the English language. The enrollment has been growing each year with expectations of 500 students this school year. With the increase in students come many new challenges to be met. More class rooms, bathrooms and housing.
- Provide tuition for needy young students.
- Provide for orphans and widows
- Provide computer training for Rwanda’s burgeoning ICT industry.
- For more details about our projects click here.
Lift up Their Hearts was founded to help the people of Rwanda, especially in the rural region of Butare. Our primary concerns are in the areas of education and assistance to widows and orphans. Our hope is that by helping its citizens we can help this country remain stable, ensuring that the brutal violence of 1994 will not be repeated.